We Had a Homemade Christmas this Year

At least the tree decorations were all made by hand! Nick and I spent the 23rd at my sister-in-law’s house, while the kiddos spent the night with Grandma & Grandpa. When we arrived back at the grandparents’ house on the morning of the 24th, they had the whole living room arrayed in traditional Mexican “papel picado” (punched paper) which they and the kid and made. The six year old made twelve of them! My in-laws had this tiny little artificial tree, and I was about worried about Christmas cheer when we got there. But the whole family got together around the dining room table with construction paper, scissors and glue sticks, and in a couple of hours time that tree was all decked out, and my kids were so pleased with themselves. Everyone chipped in on the paper chains, Isa strung the popcorn, and Zack made origami cranes, including a great big one to top the tree. Sophia made us a Christmas sign that went up on the mantel. It was the prelude to a wonderful Christmas. And the best part was being with family, especially the kids’ cousin who lives across the country from us.